Weems & Plath Man Overboard Wheel

You can save a life by following the steps displayed on this quick reference Man Overboard wheel. One side of this two-sided wheel directs initial actions and recovery when a person goes overboard; the reverse side describes the 5 steps of the Williamson Turn maneuver. 

The Williamson Turn, sometimes referred to as button hook turn, is a time-honored rescue technique used for vessels under power when the location of the overboard person in the water is uncertain.  

When a person falls overboard immediate action is crucial.  The priority is to position the vessel near the overboard victim as soon as possible. To do this, the vessel must quickly reverse course by running a reciprocal course. A reciprocal course is putting and holding the vessel on a course that is exactly the reciprocal of the original course.  The five step instructions for this maneuver are easy to follow with the use of the compass dial on one side of the Man Overboard wheel. 

1. Turn dial on wheel to match vessel’s current heading.

2. Turn helm hard to port until compass heading has changed 60 degrees. See B on device for compass position that matches this 60 degree turn.

3. Turn helm hard to starboard to come around 240 degrees to reach reciprocal course as indicated at C on tool.

4. When vessel reaches reciprocal heading, straighten helm. This will bring the vessel back onto its original wake, traveling in the opposite direction.

5. Slow down and look for man overboard. Follow steps indicated for recovery on wheel.